Global Cultural Studies

GCS 105 Introduction to Global Cultural Studies (4)

This course provides a broad introduction to the comparative study of peoples, cultures, and languages from major regions of the world. Topical themes may include language and culture; ritual and religion; power and hegemony; race and racism; class and inequality; gender and sexuality; local and global environment; health and healing; internal and transnational migration; ethnicity and nationalism; and kinship, family, and marriage. Students will explore varied ways of learning about cultural similarities and differences, as well as local, regional, national, and international interconnections and power dynamics among groups. They will examine how divergent sources of popular and academic literature, news, film, and ethnographic works represent cultures and provide—or do not provide—political-economic context.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts and Humanities; Social Sciences; PDE; World Engagement: CV
Offering: Every semester
Instructor: Staff

GCS 199 Topics in Global Cultural Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Global Cultural Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

GCS 250W Narratives of Migration: From Islamic Spain to the US/Mexico Border (4)

By examining translated literary works originally written in Spanish, this transatlantic and transhistorical course will explore the representation of displacement, imperialism, and racism in both medieval Spain and in the contemporary border in northern Mexico. From the expulsion of Jews and Muslims in inquisitorial premodern Spain to the anti-migratory policies in the US in the 21st century, this class will examine political, religious, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural frontiers and how authors have exposed and challenged them at both sides of the ocean in distinctive historical moments. In addition to literature, this course will also study other artistic representations of the border—such as art and films—and their role in the construction of identity in order to provide a starting point for critical exploration, discussion, and activism. Taught in English.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities; PDE
Offering: Alternate years
Professor: Montero

GCS 299 Topics in Global Cultural Studies (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

GCS 399 Topics in Global Cultural Studies (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

GCS 429 Topics in Global Cultural Studies (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

GCS 499W Senior Seminar in Global Cultural Studies (4)

This course serves as the Senior Capstone for majors in Global Cultural Studies, but is also open to minors in Global Cultural Studies and any students interested in the study of world cultures. Students will engage in research on a specific topic related to global cultures. Based on the students’ interests, the instructor will suggest a range of topics, methods, and scholarly literature. Afterwards, students will choose and formulate individual research questions, investigate those questions in-depth, and present their original findings and analyses.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered
Prerequisite: Senior standing or instructor consent
Offering: Annually
Instructor: Staff